Conversation Starters For Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Testing*
In order to help patients diagnosed with breast cancer start a conversation about the Oncotype DX® test with their doctor, we provide a list of questions below.
To determine whether the Oncotype DX diagnostic test might be appropriate for you, please refer to the eligibility quiz here.
Q1. I understand that many patients with early-stage (invasive) breast cancer do not benefit from chemotherapy. Is that true?
Keep in mind: Research shows that chemotherapy does not benefit all patients equally. In fact, on average, less than 10% of patients with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer who are treated with hormonal therapy derive a benefit from chemotherapy. Statistics vary for different stages/types of breast cancer.
Q2. I am interested in learning more about my options for treatment based on my specific breast cancer. Would you recommend Oncotype DX as a way to help me decide if I will benefit from chemotherapy?
Keep in mind: Oncotype has been included in both the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology® (ASCO®) Update of Recommendations for the Use of Tumor Markers in Breast Cancer and since 2008 in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Breast Cancer for certain invasive breast cancer. The inclusion by these two leading cancer organizations reinforces the significance of molecular diagnostics in breast cancer treatment planning and, in particular, the value of the individualized information provided by Oncotype DX.
American Society of Clinical Oncology, ASCO, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and NCCN are registered trademarks of ASCO and NCCN, respectively. ASCO and NCCN do not endorse any product or therapy.
Q3. I have read that the Oncotype DX test provides a score that helps determine my chance of both having a distant recurrence of breast cancer and of benefiting from chemotherapy. How could we use this information to personalize my care?
Keep in mind: Oncotype DX is for patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive, lymph node-negative invasive breast cancer. The Oncotype DX test may also be informative for post-menopausal women with lymph node-positive, hormone receptor-positive invasive breast cancer. It adds information beyond traditional factors considered when making a breast cancer treatment decision (such as tumor size, tumor grade and a patient's age) by looking at the biology of your tumor. You and your doctor should consider the Oncotype DX test results together with other findings, as well as your own personal preference, in determining which breast cancer treatment plan is right for you.
Q4. I understand that insurance will usually pay for the Oncotype DX test. Do you know whether mine will?
Keep in mind: Insurers covering most of the U.S. population have policies or contracts to cover the Oncotype DX test, including Medicare, Aetna, United Healthcare, and CIGNA, but some carriers have yet to establish coverage policies. The Genomic Access Program (GAP) helps you verify whether your insurance covers the test and, if so, helps obtain reimbursement. In addition, Genomic Health® offers a comprehensive financial assistance program. For more information, call 1-866-ONCOTYPE (866-662-6897).
Q5. Can we wait a few weeks to get these results before I have to make a decision about chemotherapy?
Keep in mind: You and your doctor will work together to make this very personal decision, but the Oncotype DX test is an important tool to consider using, together with other information, when deciding whether or not to undergo chemotherapy. In addition to assessing whether a patient's breast cancer is likely to come back, the Oncotype DX test provides insight into the amount of benefit that an invasive breast cancer patient will derive from undergoing chemotherapy in addition to hormonal therapy.
*These questions and answers are only applicable for patients diagnosed with invasive Stage I or II, node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
A large multi-institutional prospective validation study conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and Genomic Health showed, for the first time, that a multi-gene assay can identify lower risk DCIS (non-invasive breast cancer) which may be treated with surgery alone and higher risk DCIS for which radiation should be considered in addition to surgery.
Genomic Health has submitted these positive study results for presentation at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December, and plans to make the Oncotype DX DCIS Score™ available to patients and physicians by year end.